In the previous article, we covered essential indicators that your business technology needs an overhaul. We learned that operating on old equipment not only puts you at risk of data breaches but also at risk of becoming irrelevant in the market and losing to your competition. You can read about it here in case you missed it or needed a recap.
Now that you’re convinced that the break-fix service model is simply not sustainable (and profitable) over the long term, you’ve made the decision to find an IT Services Company that you can trust. But how do you know if you’re choosing the right one?
While we agree that trusting your instincts is an invaluable life skill, it is always helpful to do your due diligence before making a judgment. In today’s article, we will walk you through the different aspects of your business IT solutions and the corresponding questions you should ask your prospective IT provider. Depending on the answers, you can gauge whether to move forward with the partnership or not.
Important Questions to Ask During the Interview
1. Customer Service
It is important to know the quality of customer service they can provide if you hire them for your company.
Are they easy to contact, and will they get back to you immediately if they are unavailable when you call? Do they offer guarantees of completing tasks on time and within budget? Can they explain technical matters in simple language and enable the client to understand what is going on?
2. Network Upkeep
Find out what kind of service they will provide when it comes to the upkeep of your network.
Will they do continuous monitoring of your system and provide regular status reports? Will they have exclusive access to your system, or can they provide your in-house staff access as well? Is their network support plan all-inclusive, or do certain services come with additional fees?
3. Disaster Recovery
Natural and everyday disasters happen; having the capability to stay operational when they do isn't optional—it is today’s standards.
In the event of a data failure, will they be able to restore your system with minimal downtime? Will they perform regular tests on backup data to ensure that everything is being saved correctly? Do they offer a contingency plan that will allow your business to continue operating while they restore your system?
4. Providing Support
Choose a Managed Service Provider or MSP that understands your workflow as well as your technical and business needs.
Does your prospective IT partner have the expertise that matches your business needs? Do they provide 24/7/365 support, or do you need to wait for office hours before getting IT assistance? Is their support team based in the US, do they use remote IT specialists in other countries, or do they leverage both to cover their bases?
5. Cybersecurity Insurance
Many IT companies do not offer adequate support with applications for cybersecurity insurance. Ask what kind of help they can provide when you apply for coverage for cybersecurity incidents.
Can they help define what coverage your business will need? Will they offer assistance for you to get approved, and will they be supportive when you file claims? Can they prove on your behalf that you are doing everything possible to secure your data?
These might seem like a lot of questions to ask, but they are necessary if you want to find the right MSP for your business. In addition to answering your questions, a qualified IT provider must be able to give you a list of references when you ask for them.
At The TNS Group, you and your employees are guaranteed access to a fully-staffed and highly-trained IT department on call—a dedicated team of experts that proactively monitors, protects, and manages your entire IT environment for one monthly cost. We focus on creating IT solutions that are customized to meet your business needs. Over the years, our business model has secured us the position to rank among the world's most preeminent MSPs since 2017. This gives us the confidence to offer tools, techniques, and new technologies to support your organization's success over the long term. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you!
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Categories: Managed Service Provider, MSP Blogs, Solution Blogs
